Interior Exterior
Q:
I just had the 3M Scotchguard installed on my Elise. I even got the new piece for the rear that protects against damage from the rear tires.
THe paperwork I got is for Scotchguard, nowhere in the literature does it say Star Shield. Is there a difference?
A:
I believe 3M Scotchguard is merely the film itself, whereas Starshield implies both the type of film and the pattern cut. Starshield is the company working with Lotus to provide us with this option. They provide the warranty and do the installations. The Lotus specific application has the Lotus logo embossed into each piece so that warranties can be applied legitimately.
- J
A:
I believe 3M Scotchguard is merely the film itself, whereas Starshield implies both the type of film and the pattern cut. Starshield is the company working with Lotus to provide us with this option. They provide the warranty and do the installations. The Lotus specific application has the Lotus logo embossed into each piece so that warranties can be applied legitimately.
- J
I just went to the web site and saw that I have XPEL cutouts. Whats the difference between that and starshield?
A:
I just went to the web site and saw that I have XPEL cutouts. Whats the difference between that and starshield?
Based on the info here:
http://www.xpel.com/products/configu...e=46&model=812
They are pretty close. The nose piece ("Hood and Mirror Kit") extends a bit higher up past the headlamps on the Starshield cutout. Also depending on whether you got the "Rocker Panel Kit" or the "Door Sill and Rocker Panel Kit", there could be a difference. The Starshield is more like the latter, and has the rocker panel pieces wrap around the edge and onto part of the sill. Otherwise I could not detect much of a difference, as the Starshield kit covers the same areas.
- J
A:
I just went to the web site and saw that I have XPEL cutouts. Whats the difference between that and starshield?
X-Pel and StarShield patterns are nearly identical (and may actually be identical). The StarShield company does not provide patterns separately from the installation whereas X-Pel sells patterns to installers and sells pre-cut kits. Both use 3M Scotchgard film.
An installer could use X-Pel patterns with any film they desire. For example, Premier uses an X-Pel pattern with VentureShield film.
There are companies that produce the film (a handful), companies that produce patterns (another handful), companies that produce pre-cut kits (many) and companies that install the film (zillions). Some companies do combinations of the latter three categories.
A:
Make extra sure the rocker panels are covered on both the vertical AND horizontal areas. And that the rear fender behind the rear wheels is covered all the way to the edge nearest the rear of the tire.
Or you'll get chips! Many of the Armourfend/Armorglove cars that came through HRM or other dealers have no protection in those areas. So the paint will go bad in those areas after awhile. If you have any warranty issues with the factory paint or with a body panel Lotus will only cover refilming IF their film was on the car. Seems unfair. I have not yet had my Armourfend/Armorglove film replaced, but it yellowed in a year. They say that they'll replace it. Yearly I suppose?!? The film that gets the most abuse is the one on the rocker/sill panel.
I'll post some pics..
A:
Also make sure that you are using 3M film. In the past I used Venture film and literally almost every vehicle that I covered came back to me with the film becoming very dirty, or Cloudy looking. I still sell venture film only if customer requests the film after trying to talk them out of it. Venture is even cheaper. Hmmmmmmm
The 3M film is the only film out there that has a clear coat finish. This clear coat finish allows the film to shine and keeps the dirt and dust from imbedding into the film.
Only down side is the 3M film is harder to install. The new 3M film is coming out very soon and doesn't have any orange peel at all. Actually the batches of film that i'm getting now has 0% orange peel.
I have pictures of the venture film going bad if anyone is interested.
Bottom line at least you have coverage!
A:
I wouldn't pay too much credit to Auto Clear Guard. He is a pretty new 3m Xpel dealer, and I am certain he has never used nor is he selling Venture film. And as far as the film going bad, I'm sure most of us actual Elise owners have pics of 3m film going bad.
A:
Alright you may very well be right about Premier using bulk film and not cutting the paint at all. Again more POWER to him.
Pay credit to? Who are you? You have 6 posts..
Again, i've been installing for 5 years, not sure why you think i'm a newbie.
In 5 years, I have used venture film on many occasions.. Trust me I would love to use venture to save money and to use a film that is easier to apply than 3M. The venture film is slightly thinner and does not have a clear coat finish. This is what makes it easy to apply. The venture film does not stay shiny or smooth at all over a short period of time. I have sample peices next to my 3M film on my vehicles. They go bad. Want pics?
If any of you were to order a kit from any of the leading design companies such as Xpel, Stongard, Invinca-shield, and Ultrashield they would all send you 3M film. I think all of those design companies have done their homework and have tried all of the films.
The clear coat over the film makes the biggest difference in the world. If Venture used a clear coat finish, I would love to try it again. I just don't like re-doing cars every year when i can use 3M and never see the customer again until he buys a new car.
Thanks
A:
I wouldn't pay too much credit to Auto Clear Guard. He is a pretty new 3m Xpel dealer, and I am certain he has never used nor is he selling Venture film. And as far as the film going bad, I'm sure most of us actual Elise owners have pics of 3m film going bad.
Actually, autoclearguard did my Elise and I am extremely satisfied with the 3M product. So I think that your criticism may be unwarranted. He really went the extra mile to ensure that my car was done to my satisfaction, even coming back to check on it and to install an additional piece that is not included in the kit patterns. I am sure that a great many installers might have had a "close enough" attitude with certain portions of the install. And while there may be some orange peel, I feel that is a small price to pay when considering the stone chips these cars get. Since my car has damage on the front from someone backing into me, I will be having him redo my car with the new film once the repairs are completed.
A:
I dont know what you guys are talking about, have the 3m scotchguard on one of the other cars from the dealer. Since feb. the "clear coat" has faded and it is dull to touch. I haven't owned the venture film long enough yet, but It does seem smoother to touch than the 3m was when it first came. But they both get the job done.
A:
Since feb. the "clear coat" has faded and it is dull to touch.
You may want to wax it. I waxed mine along with the rest of the car the week after I had mine installed.
A:
Interesting. To date I never had a problem with any 3M films and never heard of any problems. Well except from the stuff several years ago on white cars. But other than that nothing. If its really bad, just get it warrantied through 3M.
Thanks
A:
Interesting. To date I never had a problem with any 3M films and never heard of any problems. Well except from the stuff several years ago on white cars. But other than that nothing. If its really bad, just get it warrantied through 3M.
Thanks
Just get it warrantied? Can't that be said about any other film. I'm not trying to bad mouth you Ryan, but it does bother me extremely when you won't take responsiblity for selling your kit online and then randomly recommending an installer to your customer, which turns out to be a hack job. You said in the other thread that Buberto should have done his research? Well, shouldn't that be your responsibility before you recommend anyone to your customers. I find that extremely irresponsible.
Also, I must admit that the starshield did do a good job at protecting the paint while it was on, or at least until it turned yellow, and swirled up even more than the clear coat on the paint.
Icedog,..I'm glad your experience with Ryan was not as bad as my friend's.
A:
Jas168,
Again, Please do not imply that I destroyed your friends car. All I did was sell him a kit after his request and mailed it to him. I did not force him into buying the kit and did not force him to taking the kit to that particular installer. If he is your buddy, you should have directed him to who you use.
In FACT, i'm willing to bet anything that when he got the list of installers there was probably 4-5 different installers on the list. And I BET you anything that he called everyone and picked the cheapest one not thinking about the end product.
If your buddy would have contacted me and told me about this I most likely would have felt bad for him, and sent him a Brand NEW Pre-cut kit.
Question:
If I bought a new car, decided to to let my friend drive it, and he wrecked it....... Whos fault is that, the salesmen?
If you have a problem please call me, i'm tired of reading your posts.
I'm off to Tallahassee to do a group install so will be back beginning of next week.
We all do awesome work, we all have our differences in using particular kits, films and installing methods but at the end of the day our customers are all happy.
A:
i too have the Armorfend which HRM put on the car....seems ok so far though...but i dont have a ton of milage on the car.
A:
Jas168,
Again, Please do not imply that I destroyed your friends car. All I did was sell him a kit after his request and mailed it to him. I did not force him into buying the kit and did not force him to taking the kit to that particular installer. If he is your buddy, you should have directed him to who you use.
In FACT, i'm willing to bet anything that when he got the list of installers there was probably 4-5 different installers on the list. And I BET you anything that he called everyone and picked the cheapest one not thinking about the end product.
If your buddy would have contacted me and told me about this I most likely would have felt bad for him, and sent him a Brand NEW Pre-cut kit.
Question:
If I bought a new car, decided to to let my friend drive it, and he wrecked it....... Whos fault is that, the salesmen?
If you have a problem please call me, i'm tired of reading your posts.
I'm off to Tallahassee to do a group install so will be back beginning of next week.
We all do awesome work, we all have our differences in using particular kits, films and installing methods but at the end of the day our customers are all happy.
I don't know how else to put this,...but what it comes down to is that you are trying to free yourself of any blame and putting it on your customer. "You were the one that found the dealer for him." I've seen on many of your posts where you claim that you will help your customers locate a dealer if they buy a kit from you. Well, if that is the case, you should do your homework before you give these recommendations. It doesn't matter if you do send Bubberto a new kit now, because the car is already hacked up. If he does contact you, will you pay for the repaint? I thought so. I guess you are right on one account though. I agree that if someone were to get a clear bra done in the future, that they should do their homework first. I wouldn't recommend buying a kit from one installer and then getting another to do it. So that's my 2 cents.